Artwork
Artus Quellinus the Elder
Artus Quellinus the Elder is an ink print by the Baroque artist Hubertus Quellinus. It dates from 1665 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in cartouche: Artus Quellinus Antverpiensis / Curiae Amstelodamensium STatuarius. / Hubertus Quellinus. delin. et sculp.; by later hand, upper verso in graphite: 165 / Quellinis / 56
About this work
Overview
Quellinus is shown wearing a dark coat beneath a prominent ruffled collar, with his hands resting on a small object that appears to be a book or document.
Created in 1665 by Hubertus Quellinus, this etching on laid paper serves as a portrait of the renowned Flemish sculptor Artus Quellinus the Elder. The work depicts the subject in a formal, three-quarter view, characterized by a serious expression, curly hair, a mustache, and a neatly trimmed beard. Quellinus is shown wearing a dark coat beneath a prominent ruffled collar, with his hands resting on a small object that appears to be a book or document.
The composition is rendered in black and white, utilizing the etching medium to define the textures of the clothing and facial features with precision. As a depiction of the most significant Baroque sculptor of the Southern Netherlands, the print captures the stature of an artist who operated major workshops in both Antwerp and Amsterdam and profoundly influenced Northern European sculpture. The image likely functions as a frontispiece or a standalone commemorative print, documenting the appearance of a master whose work defined the era's sculptural output in the region.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a dignified gentleman with curled hair, a moustache and a neatly trimmed beard. He gazes directly, his hands resting on a small object that may be a book or a sheet of paper, suggesting scholarly or administrative activity.
Technique & Style
Created by etching, the artist incised lines into a metal plate, which were then inked and pressed onto the paper. The fine hatching and delicate rendering of the ruffled collar and coat illustrate the precision typical of mid‑17th‑century Dutch printmaking.
History & Provenance
Since its execution in the mid‑1660s, the print has remained in the public domain, eventually entering the holdings of the National Gallery of Art. The museum’s records list it under the artist’s name and date, confirming its provenance.
Context
The portrait belongs to a period when the Quellinus family were prominent artists in the Southern Netherlands, often producing commemorative images of notable figures. The inclusion of an ornate frame with scrollwork and Latin inscription reflects contemporary practices of presenting prints as collectible objects.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Hubertus Quellinus or Hubert Quellinus was a Flemish printmaker, drawing artist and painter and a member of the prominent Quellinus family of artists.
